The Crow Wing County sheriff's office issued organizers an event permit Thursday. Sheriff Todd Dahl and Sgt. Scott Goddard met with Brainerd Jaycees on Gull Lake's Hole in the Day Bay to verify ice conditions. They found the ice clear and thick enough throughout the contest site.

The contest will be held next Saturday, Jan. 19, from noon to 3 p.m. Already more than 7,500 tickets have been sold.

Each year the contest draws more than 10,000 anglers who compete for more than $150,000 in prizes. There are 150 prizes, including a new pickup, a snowmobile and a fish house.